The Good Grandson of the Red Chamber

Chapter 104 The King Does Not Meet the King

Not long after Ni Er left, the brothers Jia Lian and Jia Zhu came to offer their New Year's greetings.

Xia Chengzong is now quite accomplished in medicine, and he observed Jia Zhu for a while.

No hidden illness was discovered in him, and for a time, it was hard to guess why he died young.

However, Xia Chengzong noticed that Jia Zhu was somewhat weak, probably because he was studying hard.

After chatting for a while, Jia Lian said, "Your Highness, Brother Zhu is getting married next month."

"Your Highness is busy with many affairs and should not be disturbed, but Your Highness has the bearing of a dragon and the grace of a phoenix, and is exceptionally talented."

"If His Highness could personally bestow his blessing, it would be a great honor for our Jia family, and it would surely bring glory to our humble abode."

"I humbly request Your Highness to take the time to join us for the wedding feast. This invitation is only in advance; the wedding invitation will be sent next month."

Is Jia Zhu getting married next month?

Xia Chengzong smiled and said, "I must attend such a joyous occasion. May I ask which family the bride comes from?"

Jia Zhu said shyly, "I am the daughter of Li, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy."

As expected, the bride was Li Wan.

Xia Chengzong laughed and said, "The Li family is a family of scholars and officials, and they are a perfect match for your family, a match made in heaven."

"Of course, I, the king, must have a drink with this celebratory feast!"

Not long after the two brothers left, members of the Su and Mei families came to offer their New Year's greetings.

The Mei family was one thing, but Xia Chengzong didn't expect the Su family to come to his door as well.

They were extremely arrogant a couple of years ago.

Prince Zhongzheng's mansion had no money to repay the national treasury's debts, so when they went to borrow money, the mansion was only willing to lend them 10,000 taels of silver.

Now, their attitude has quietly changed!

Perhaps it's because the crown prince was deposed?

With the crown prince deposed, the chances of his cheap father ascending the throne have greatly increased.

They've come here to burn the stove.

If they themselves sent people to offer New Year's greetings, then the Prince Zhongzheng's residence would naturally be even more so.

So this is the Su family's tradition!

In the following days, he became quite busy.

He went out to pay New Year's visits and attend banquets, and others also came to his door to offer New Year's greetings.

After establishing his own residence, his social interactions with others in the Prince's mansion began to increase.

Of course, this only applies to male guests; no female relatives come to visit.

After all, there was no mistress in his mansion, and no one would greet female guests when they came.

They were busy until the sixth day of the new year, but Emperor Yonglong contracted typhoid fever and fell ill.

Upon hearing this, Xia Chengzong hurriedly went to visit him.

It was discovered that Emperor Yonglong only had ordinary typhoid fever and was not seriously ill.

However, he was old and frail, and his recovery was very slow.

Grandfather's health is getting worse and worse.

It seems that it won't be long before he passes on the throne.

When Emperor Yonglong fell ill, his princes and grandsons visited him every day to show their filial piety.

Xia Chengzong was no exception.

Emperor Yonglong, however, found it troublesome and forbade them from coming to disturb his meditation.

Only four of the emperor's grandsons were allowed to visit.

Therefore, the pre-Lunar New Year festivities subsided.

Even by the Lantern Festival, it wasn't as lively as in previous years.

After the Lantern Festival, Emperor Yonglong gradually recovered.

The entire Great Qian Dynasty returned to normal operation.

Before we knew it, it was February.

Soon it arrived that Jia Zhu's wedding day was approaching.

Xia Chengzong went to the Jia residence.

At the entrance of the Jia family mansion, Jia Lian, who was greeting guests, saw the carriage of Prince Ping'an's mansion. He quickly stepped forward to greet it while sending someone to invite Jia Zhen, Jia She, and Jia Zheng.

For ordinary guests, it was sufficient for him, as the eldest son and grandson of the Duke's mansion, to personally receive them.

But now that the prince is coming, all the elders of the Jia family will be present.

After paying his respects, Jia Lian smiled and said, "Your Highness's presence greatly honors our humble abode."

"It just so happens that Prince Bei Jing has also just arrived. He just said that he has long admired Your Highness's name, but has never had the chance to meet you."

"It's quite a coincidence that Your Highness has arrived. Please come in, Your Highness."

Xia Chengzong smiled and said, "I should have personally come to your residence to offer my congratulations, but my fifth uncle had an important matter to discuss with me before I left."

"What bad timing! The wedding gift has just arrived. Please explain this to the groom on my behalf."

After saying this, Xia Chengzong turned and left without waiting for Jia Lian to stop him.

They quickly got into the car and drove away.

Jia Lian couldn't persuade him to stay and was at a loss for what to do.

Jia Zhen, Jia She, and Jia Zheng arrived, but not seeing Prince Ping'an, they couldn't help but ask.

Jia Lian quickly explained the situation.

Jia She sighed and said, "A king doesn't meet another king! I never expected that Prince Bei Jing would come in person."

As they were talking, more guests arrived, and Jia Lian hurriedly went forward to greet them.

On the carriage, Xia Chengzong was still thinking about Prince Bei Jing.

The character of Prince Bei Jing is not described in detail in the novel Dream of the Red Chamber.

Judging from the preceding descriptions, he was a gentle and wise king.

However, judging from the later plot points such as when he gave Qi Guan Jiang Yujun a handkerchief and when Prince Zhongshun sent people to the Jia family to demand people back, it's clear that...

Prince Bei Jing and Prince Zhong Shun got into a dispute.

Prince Zhongshun used the matter of demanding people as a pretext to give the Jia family a warning.

When he read Dream of the Red Chamber, he regarded Prince Zhongshun as a major rebel.

Now that he has traveled through time, Prince Zhongshun has become his fifth uncle and treats him extremely well.

Then there's nothing to worry about. One's position determines one's thinking, and now he's naturally on Prince Zhongshun's side.

Judging from various signs, Prince Bei Jing is also a restless person.

Who knows what he'll do in the future?

He could win over the half-crippled Jia family, but he was unwilling to make contact with Prince Bei Jing.

The king does not meet the king.

Therefore, his decision not to enter the Jia family today can be seen as a warning to them.

The next day, Jia Zhu and Jia Lian personally brought lavish gifts to request an audience.

Xia Chengzong left them waiting for half an hour before finally seeing them.

After exchanging greetings, Xia Chengzong said with a smile, "Young Master Zhu, you're newly married, what brings you to my residence?"

Jia Zhu hurriedly said, "Yesterday, Your Highness condescended to visit my Jia family. I was unable to greet you properly, and Your Highness did not stay for the banquet. It was all due to my Jia family's inconvenience. I hope Your Highness will forgive us."

Xia Chengzong laughed and said, "I had something to do yesterday, which had nothing to do with you. Why would I need you to come and apologize?"

Jia Lian then subtly revealed that they had not known beforehand that Prince Bei Jing would personally visit the Jia residence.

Upon hearing this, Xia Chengzong's face showed a thoughtful expression.

If Jia Lian wasn't lying, then the Prince of Bei Jing was specifically targeting him?

Is it really just that you've heard so much about me and just want to meet me?

Why must we meet at the Jia family home on Jia Zhu's wedding day?

Does he not have legs? Can't he come to his palace to see him normally?

This Prince Bei Jing must be harboring treacherous intentions.

He spoke up and comforted the two of them.

When he went to see Jia Zhu, he found that Jia Zhu's eyes were sunken and his face was pale, and he couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

Jia Zhu must have indulged in some food during his wedding night, otherwise he wouldn't be in such a weak state.

Huh?

This Jia Zhu, perhaps, died because of excessive indulgence in lust, which weakened his body and allowed evil spirits to enter his body.

The reason why Lady Wang disliked Li Wan so much later might be because of this.

Thinking of this, Xia Chengzong couldn't help but say, "Young Master Zhu, while the pleasures of the ladies' quarters are beautiful, one should be mindful of moderation."

Jia Zhu blushed deeply, but Jia Lian found it amusing that the young Prince Ping'an spoke so earnestly.